Obituaries — 8-23-13

Edna Earl Walters Childs

Edna Earl Walters Childs, 60, passed away August 18, 2013, at her home. She was born May 31, 1953 in Lumberton, daughter of Carl Walters Sr. and the late Geneva Walters. She was a 1972 graduate of Union Pines High School in Carthage. She received her nursing degree from Madisonville College in Madisonville, Ky.

Edna was known as “Grammy” to her grandchildren and was looking forward to spending time with them and other family members on a cruise this fall. She attended First United Methodist Church in Lincolnton.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday at Greene Funeral Service, South Chapel, 1503 S. York Rd., Gastonia, officiated by Rev. Leon Humphrey. Inurnment will be private.

The family will receive friends today from 2 p.m. until 3 p.m. at McLean Funeral Directors. A funeral service will follow at 3 p.m. in the Founders Chapel of McLean Funeral Directors of Gastonia.

Memorials may be made to The Levine Children’s Hospital, 1000 Blythe Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28203.

Condolence messages may be sent online at www.McLeanFuneral.com.

McLean Funeral Directors of Gastonia is serving the family of Mr. Jones.

Bertha Tessneer Leatherman

Bertha Tessneer Leatherman, age 89 of Lincolnton passed away Wednesday, August 21, 2013 at CMC-Main in Charlotte. She was born June 13 1924 in Cleveland County to the late Julius Teeten Tessneer and Eva Spencer Tessneer.

Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Rufus Sanford Leatherman, one son Dennis Ray Leatherman, one brother, three sisters, and one granddaughter.

She is survived by one son, Raymond Boyd Leatherman and his wife Jane of Mooresville, one daughter, Karen Setzer and Blake Russell of Lincolnton, one sister, Rosie Spencer of Lincolnton, five grandchildren, Travis Leatherman, Rhonda Blake, Angela Rascoe, Joshua Setzer, and Raymond Leatherman, Jr., and eleven great grandchildren.

Services will be held Saturday, August 24, 2013 at 3 p.m. at the E. F. Drum Funeral Home Chapel. The family will receive friends from 2 p.m. until 3 p.m. prior to the service. The interment will be at Mt. Vernon Baptist Church Cemetery in Vale. Rev. Joshua Taylor will officiate.

Online condolences may be made at www.efdrumfuneralhome.com.

E. F. Drum Funeral Home is serving the Leatherman family.

Tony Allen Willis

MAIDEN — Tony Allen Willis, age 48, of 207 S. 4th Avenue in Maiden, died on Wednesday, August 21, 2013.

His funeral service will be 3 p.m. on Sunday, August 25, 2013 at First Baptist Church of Maiden. Burial will follow in Maiden City Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Saturday, August 24, 2013 at Warlick Funeral Home.

Mr. Willis was born October 24, 1964 in Lincoln County to Dora Elizabeth Gales Jones. He worked as a truck driver for the City of Hickory and was a member of the Maiden Fire Department. Tony was a former member of the Union Fire Department. He also loved the Theater Guild and performed in several productions.

He is survived by his wife, Kara Lantry Willis of the home; four sons, Matthew Nolan and Celso Valdez, both of the home, Wilberto Oquendo of Gastonia, and Dustin Wampler of Florida; two daughters, Mary Bowles and Tonye Willis, both of Vale; and his mother, Dora Jones.

Robin was born in Lincoln County, NC on November 17, 1963 a daughter of the late Mote Taylor and Essie Reynolds Taylor. She was employed as an assembly line worker for Freightliner in Mt. Holly. Robin was a member of Leonard’s Fork Baptist Church in Lincolnton.

In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by a brother, Jim Taylor and two sisters, Patti Bivens and Judy Green.

Survivors include her husband of 18 years, Ronnie Workman; two sons, Josh Lowman of Vale and Johnny Wilson, III of Taylorsville; a daughter, Kristen Lowman of Lincolnton; a brother, Wayne Taylor of Indian Trail; three sisters, Shirley Herman of Lincolnton, Monda Penly of Valdese and Wanda Taylor of Lenoir; six grandchildren, Dylan Gates, Devon and Layla Brown, Angelus and Nathaniel Lowman and Gage Taylor; also surviving are a number of nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be on Saturday, August 24, 2013 from 12:45 p.m. until 1:45 p.m. at Leonard’s Fork Baptist Church.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, August 24, 2013 at 2 p.m. at Leonard’s Fork Baptist Church with the Rev. Marie Greene officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

A memorial service will be held at 5 p.m. on August 25, 2013 at Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church, Lincolnton. The family will receive friends at the church from 4 p.m. until 5 p.m., before the service.

Celebration of life service will be held Monday, August 26, 2013 at 4 p.m. in the E. F. Drum Funeral Home Chapel. The family will receive friends following the service.

E. F. Drum Funeral Home is serving the Bradshaw family.

Minnie Lee Wilkes Woods

Minnie Lee Wilkes Woods, 97, of Maiden, died August 20, 2013.

Services will be held Saturday, August 24, 2013 at 2 p.m. at Community Baptist Church in Maiden. The family will receive friends from 1 p.m. until 2 p.m. at the church. The interment will be at Maiden Chapel Baptist Church Cemetery.